BCAA

BCAAs are the trio of leucine, isoleucine, and valine: the three amino acids traditionally consumed during workouts. Often for their taste as much as their benefits, they remain among the least expensive products in the amino acid section. Flavored powders, capsules, 2:1:1 and 8:1:1 ratios — we explain below how to choose yours.

IO Genix BCAA 8.1.1
IO Genix BCAA 8.1.1 - 300 comprimes
IO Genix BCAA 8.1.1 - branched-chain amino acids
IO.GENIX

IO Genix BCAA 8.1.1

(0)

From 17,90 €

Sinob Juiced BCAA
Sinob Juiced BCAA - vegan branched-chain amino acids
Sinob Juiced BCAA Ice Tea Pêche
Sinob Juiced BCAA Mangue-Maracuja
Sinob

Sinob Juiced BCAA

(1)

34,90 € 29,66 €
5% Nutrition All Day You May
5% Nutrition All Day You May - pot southern sweet tea
5% Nutrition All Day You May - pot gout push pop
5% Nutrition All Day You May - pot limonade myrtille
5% Nutrition

5% Nutrition All Day You May

(0)

49,90 €

Rule One Active BCAA
Rule One Active BCAA - hydration and recovery
Rule One Active BCAA Blue Raspberry
Rule One Active BCAA Watermelon
Rule One

Rule One Active BCAA

(0)

29,90 €

OstroVit BCAA Instant 400 g
OstroVit BCAA Instant 400 g — Mangue
OstroVit BCAA Instant 400 g — Pastèque
OstroVit

OstroVit BCAA Instant 400 g

(0)

19,90 €

Applied Nutrition BCAA Amino Hydrate
Pot d'Applied Nutrition BCAA Amino Hydrate, BCAA 2:1:1 et électrolytes, saveur Icy Blue Raz
Pot d'Applied Nutrition BCAA Amino Hydrate, BCAA 2:1:1 et électrolytes, saveur Fruits Mélangés
Pot d'Applied Nutrition BCAA Amino Hydrate, BCAA 2:1:1 et électrolytes, saveur Pomme Verte
APPLIED NUTRITION

Applied Nutrition BCAA Amino Hydrate

(0)

32,90 €

Applied Nutrition BCAA 6K
Flacon d'Applied Nutrition BCAA 6K, BCAA 4:1:1 en gélules, 300 gélules
APPLIED NUTRITION

Applied Nutrition BCAA 6K

(0)

32,90 €

Now Foods BCAA Leucine Isoleucine Valine
NOW Foods BCAA Leucine Isoleucine Valine
NOW Foods

Now Foods BCAA Leucine Isoleucine Valine

(0)

43,18 €

VENDARGUES STORE
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What exactly are BCAAs?

BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids) are three amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. They are named for their branched chemical structure, and they share a unique characteristic: unlike most amino acids, they are largely metabolized directly in the muscle rather than in the liver.

Leucine is the one that performs the signaling work. It triggers the mTOR pathway, the cellular switch that initiates muscle protein synthesis. Isoleucine is more involved in glucose uptake into the cell, while valine mainly serves as an energy substrate. This explains the disproportionate emphasis on leucine in formulas and sales pitches.

The important point comes next, and it's rarely written on the containers. The human body needs nine essential amino acids, meaning nine that it cannot produce itself and must obtain from food. BCAAs provide only three of these. Muscle protein, however, requires all nine, in the correct proportions: lysine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and histidine are missing. Triggering the building signal without providing the building blocks does not produce muscle. This is why BCAAs alone are now widely considered to be superseded by EAAs, which contain all nine.

What do the 2:1:1, 4:1:1, and 8:1:1 ratios really mean?

The ratio indicates the proportion between the three amino acids, always in the same order: leucine, isoleucine, valine. A 2:1:1 BCAA contains twice as much leucine as isoleucine and valine. An 8:1:1 BCAA contains eight times as much.

The 2:1:1 is not an arbitrary figure: it is approximately the proportion in which these three amino acids are found in human muscle protein, and in most high-quality dietary proteins, including whey. It is the benchmark ratio, and by far the most common.

Extreme ratios — 4:1:1, 8:1:1, 10:1:1 — are based on a simple reasoning: since leucine is the signaling amino acid, it makes sense to add more. The problem is that no solid data demonstrates the superiority of these ratios over a 2:1:1 with an equivalent total quantity. What is observed is a plateau: beyond the amount of leucine sufficient to trigger the signal, adding more does not further increase protein synthesis. An 8:1:1 ratio therefore mainly involves replacing isoleucine and valine with extra leucine that you don't need.

There's also a more prosaic effect: leucine is very bitter, and the higher the ratio, the more sweeteners are needed to make the powder drinkable. What you should look at is the amount of leucine per serving, in grams: an underdosed 8:1:1 provides less than a properly dosed 2:1:1.

BCAA or EAA, or simply whey?

For the vast majority of people who exercise, the honest answer is: complete protein. A serving of whey isolate or whey concentrate contains all nine essential amino acids, including about 10% leucine by protein weight — which, in a standard dose, is enough to reach the triggering threshold without additional supplementation. And the cost per gram of essential amino acids is significantly lower than that of free amino acids.

If your daily protein intake is already adequate and you take a shake around your workout, additional BCAAs will not add anything measurable. This is the most common scenario, and we prefer to direct you to our proteins rather than to a redundant product.

BCAAs still have defensible uses, provided you are honest about what you expect from them:

  • Taste. A light, tangy drink to sip during a 90-minute session. BCAAs are often more pleasant than complete EAAs, which contain more amino acids with difficult flavors.
  • Cost. For an equivalent dose, a container of BCAAs is generally cheaper than a container of EAAs. If budget is the main constraint and overall protein intake is already covered, the trade-off is justifiable.
  • Intra-workout intake when diet is already complete. BCAAs then play a comfort role, not a raw material role. An amino acid drink also goes down better than a protein shake during exercise.

On the other hand, if you train on an empty stomach, if you are in a significant caloric deficit, or if your protein intake is low, BCAAs are not the right tool: you are missing six essential amino acids. In these situations, look at EAAs.

How to dose and when to take BCAAs?

Common dosages range from 5 to 10 g per serving, which is approximately 2.5 to 5 g of leucine for a 2:1:1 ratio. Going above this does not provide any documented additional benefit; below 5 g, the benefit becomes theoretical.

Free amino acids are absorbed quickly, in 15 to 30 minutes, which explains the "during workout" logic. But over the course of the day, what determines muscle building remains the total protein intake over 24 hours, not the timing. Take them during your workout if it's convenient and if the drink encourages you to drink more.

Dilute 5 to 10 g in 500 to 750 ml of water. BCAAs dissolve poorly: leucine and valine are poorly soluble, so a deposit and foam on the surface are normal. Shake, let sit for one minute, shake again. During long sessions or in hot weather, adding electrolytes has more impact on performance than increasing the dose of amino acids. On rest days, if your meals cover your protein needs, save the budget for creatine, which must be taken daily to be effective.

Are BCAAs dangerous?

The question deserves a precise answer rather than an automatic denial. At usual doses, in a healthy adult, BCAAs are amino acids you already consume every day in meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products: a container does not introduce anything foreign to your diet, simply the same thing in a free and concentrated form. Reported side effects are primarily digestive — bloating, intestinal discomfort — and mainly occur with high doses taken all at once on an empty stomach.

The real reservations are elsewhere:

  • Maple syrup urine disease (leucinosis), a rare metabolic disease, is an absolute contraindication: these patients cannot metabolize branched-chain amino acids.
  • Kidney or liver failure: any amino acid supplementation must be validated by the patient's doctor.
  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding, adolescents: ANSES recommends caution with supplements for athletes in these populations, due to insufficient data.
  • Ongoing treatment: consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

The most concrete risk remains common: replacing a real protein intake with partial amino acids, and ending up with a less complete diet than before. A supplement does not make up for an insufficient meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are BCAAs?

Three essential branched-chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. "Essential" means the body cannot produce them and they must come from food; "branched" refers to their chemical structure, which allows them to be metabolized directly in the muscle rather than in the liver. They are sold as flavored powder or capsules, with a stated ratio such as 2:1:1. Their limitation is structural: three out of the nine essential amino acids, enough to send the building signal, but not enough to provide the building blocks.

What is the role of BCAAs?

Each of the three has a distinct function. Leucine is the trigger: it activates the mTOR pathway, which initiates muscle protein synthesis. Isoleucine is mainly involved in glucose uptake into the cell. Valine primarily serves as an energy substrate. Their common characteristic is that they are metabolized directly in the muscle and not in the liver, which explains the attention they receive in sports nutrition. But a signal is not a building block: without the other six essential amino acids, protein cannot be assembled.

Are BCAAs dangerous?

No, at usual doses and in healthy adults: they are amino acids present daily in meat, eggs, fish, and dairy products, simply isolated and concentrated. Reported effects are digestive and benign, especially with a large dose swallowed all at once on an empty stomach. Real contraindications are medical: maple syrup urine disease, kidney or liver failure, pregnancy, breastfeeding, ongoing treatment. The real everyday risk is elsewhere: believing that a container of partial amino acids replaces a complete protein intake.

Do BCAAs make you gain weight?

No. A dose of 5 to 10 g provides approximately 20 to 40 kcal, the equivalent of half an apple: this is negligible in a day. They also do not cause weight loss. If your weight increases during a course, the cause is to be found in the overall caloric balance, not in the container. Not to be confused with creatine, which causes intramuscular water retention visible on the scale in the first few weeks.

When to take BCAAs?

The timing matters less than the total daily protein intake, and this should be said above all else. That being said, the most consistent use is during the workout: 5 to 10 g diluted in 500 to 750 ml of water, sipped throughout the training session, which has the advantage of encouraging more drinking. Since free amino acids are absorbed in 15 to 30 minutes, there is no justification for taking them an hour in advance. On rest days, if your meals cover your needs, they have no particular role.

When to take BCAAs for endurance?

For long efforts, the benefit of BCAAs is secondary compared to two other priorities: carbohydrates and electrolytes. A runner or cyclist who goes beyond two hours mainly loses water, sodium, and glycogen. If you still want to add amino acids to your water bottle, 5 g is sufficient, and a complete EAA formula will be more relevant than BCAAs alone.

What is an amino acid?

It is the basic unit of proteins: a small molecule that links with others to form the long chains from which muscles, enzymes, antibodies, or certain hormones are made. Twenty amino acids make up human proteins. Eleven are called non-essential, meaning the body can synthesize them; the other nine — leucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine — are essential and must be supplied by the diet. Digesting a protein means precisely breaking it down into amino acids before rebuilding it differently.

EAA or BCAA, which to choose?

EAAs in almost all cases. They contain all nine essential amino acids, including BCAAs, whereas BCAAs only provide three: the synthesis signal is sent in both cases, but only EAAs provide the raw material. The difference becomes clear when dietary intake is low — training on an empty stomach, significant caloric deficit, reduced appetite. BCAAs retain two practical advantages: a more palatable taste and a generally lower price per container. If your diet is already complete, these two criteria may be enough to make the decision.

Which BCAA to choose?

Look at three lines, in this order. First, the grams of leucine per dose: this is the amino acid that triggers the signal, and the useful range is between 2.5 and 5 g per serving. Then the ratio, knowing that 2:1:1 replicates the proportion found in muscle protein and no solid data places an 8:1:1 above it at equal total quantity. Finally, the origin: fermented BCAAs of plant origin are suitable for everyone. Beware of containers that announce a total weight without detailing the distribution.

Are there natural BCAAs?

Today, almost all commercial BCAAs come from the fermentation of plant sugars by bacteria, a process that has replaced the extraction from animal materials long used. The mention "natural" therefore does not distinguish much between two containers. The true natural source remains food: whey contains about a quarter of its protein in the form of BCAAs, and eggs, meat, fish, and legumes provide them every day. A container simply isolates and concentrates what the diet already provides.

Which foods are rich in amino acids?

Animal sources provide all nine essential amino acids in good proportions: eggs, meats, fish, dairy products, including whey from milk. On the plant side, soy, peas, and quinoa are complete; legumes tend to lack methionine and cereals tend to lack lysine, hence the benefit of combining them throughout the day. The Ciqual database provides the composition of food item by food item. If your diet is exclusively plant-based, our plant proteins generally combine several sources for this reason.

Do BCAAs build muscle?

Not on their own. They trigger the protein synthesis signal, but do not provide the six other essential amino acids needed to build a complete protein. It is the total daily protein intake that does the work; BCAAs contribute only marginally.

Which BCAAs do we offer?

Our selection favors formulas whose labels clearly state the ratio and grammages: the 8.1.1 BCAA from IO Genix for those who are aware of this ratio, the vegan fermented BCAAs from Sinob, the hydration formula from Rule One that combines amino acids and minerals, and the All Day You May from 5% Nutrition, which is more complete than its name suggests.

If you prefer a complete formula, our EAA section is our largest collection of amino acids. And if you are mainly looking for a pleasant drink during exercise, check out clear whey, which is lighter than a classic shake.

Need advice at a store near Montpellier?

Our store in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, allows you to compare two labels side-by-side and calculate the actual leucine provided per dose. This thirty-second calculation often changes the purchasing decision. We also ship everywhere in France and Europe.

Sources: ANSES for French recommendations on dietary supplements for athletes, Ciqual for the amino acid composition of foods, EFSA for European scientific opinions.

To go further: are BCAAs dangerous.

View Store
Mutant Hardcore BCAA
Mutant Hardcore BCAA Lemonade 390 g
Mutant Hardcore BCAA Pineapple 390 g
Mutant Hardcore BCAA Peach 390 g
Mutant

Mutant Hardcore BCAA

(0)

25,90 €

Retrait au magasin sous 2 h

À Vendargues, près de Montpellier. Vous êtes prévenu dès que la commande est prête.

Commandé avant 14 h, expédié le jour même

Du lundi au samedi. Le délai d'acheminement appartient ensuite au transporteur.

Livraison offerte dès 69 €

En France métropolitaine, et dès 100 € en Europe. Modes et délais.

Une question avant de commander ?

Écrivez-nous ou passez au magasin : on connaît les produits qu'on vend.

What exactly are BCAAs?

BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids) are three amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. They are named for their branched chemical structure, and they share a unique characteristic: unlike most amino acids, they are largely metabolized directly in the muscle rather than in the liver.

Leucine is the one that performs the signaling work. It triggers the mTOR pathway, the cellular switch that initiates muscle protein synthesis. Isoleucine is more involved in glucose uptake into the cell, while valine mainly serves as an energy substrate. This explains the disproportionate emphasis on leucine in formulas and sales pitches.

The important point comes next, and it's rarely written on the containers. The human body needs nine essential amino acids, meaning nine that it cannot produce itself and must obtain from food. BCAAs provide only three of these. Muscle protein, however, requires all nine, in the correct proportions: lysine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and histidine are missing. Triggering the building signal without providing the building blocks does not produce muscle. This is why BCAAs alone are now widely considered to be superseded by EAAs, which contain all nine.

What do the 2:1:1, 4:1:1, and 8:1:1 ratios really mean?

The ratio indicates the proportion between the three amino acids, always in the same order: leucine, isoleucine, valine. A 2:1:1 BCAA contains twice as much leucine as isoleucine and valine. An 8:1:1 BCAA contains eight times as much.

The 2:1:1 is not an arbitrary figure: it is approximately the proportion in which these three amino acids are found in human muscle protein, and in most high-quality dietary proteins, including whey. It is the benchmark ratio, and by far the most common.

Extreme ratios — 4:1:1, 8:1:1, 10:1:1 — are based on a simple reasoning: since leucine is the signaling amino acid, it makes sense to add more. The problem is that no solid data demonstrates the superiority of these ratios over a 2:1:1 with an equivalent total quantity. What is observed is a plateau: beyond the amount of leucine sufficient to trigger the signal, adding more does not further increase protein synthesis. An 8:1:1 ratio therefore mainly involves replacing isoleucine and valine with extra leucine that you don't need.

There's also a more prosaic effect: leucine is very bitter, and the higher the ratio, the more sweeteners are needed to make the powder drinkable. What you should look at is the amount of leucine per serving, in grams: an underdosed 8:1:1 provides less than a properly dosed 2:1:1.

BCAA or EAA, or simply whey?

For the vast majority of people who exercise, the honest answer is: complete protein. A serving of whey isolate or whey concentrate contains all nine essential amino acids, including about 10% leucine by protein weight — which, in a standard dose, is enough to reach the triggering threshold without additional supplementation. And the cost per gram of essential amino acids is significantly lower than that of free amino acids.

If your daily protein intake is already adequate and you take a shake around your workout, additional BCAAs will not add anything measurable. This is the most common scenario, and we prefer to direct you to our proteins rather than to a redundant product.

BCAAs still have defensible uses, provided you are honest about what you expect from them:

  • Taste. A light, tangy drink to sip during a 90-minute session. BCAAs are often more pleasant than complete EAAs, which contain more amino acids with difficult flavors.
  • Cost. For an equivalent dose, a container of BCAAs is generally cheaper than a container of EAAs. If budget is the main constraint and overall protein intake is already covered, the trade-off is justifiable.
  • Intra-workout intake when diet is already complete. BCAAs then play a comfort role, not a raw material role. An amino acid drink also goes down better than a protein shake during exercise.

On the other hand, if you train on an empty stomach, if you are in a significant caloric deficit, or if your protein intake is low, BCAAs are not the right tool: you are missing six essential amino acids. In these situations, look at EAAs.

How to dose and when to take BCAAs?

Common dosages range from 5 to 10 g per serving, which is approximately 2.5 to 5 g of leucine for a 2:1:1 ratio. Going above this does not provide any documented additional benefit; below 5 g, the benefit becomes theoretical.

Free amino acids are absorbed quickly, in 15 to 30 minutes, which explains the "during workout" logic. But over the course of the day, what determines muscle building remains the total protein intake over 24 hours, not the timing. Take them during your workout if it's convenient and if the drink encourages you to drink more.

Dilute 5 to 10 g in 500 to 750 ml of water. BCAAs dissolve poorly: leucine and valine are poorly soluble, so a deposit and foam on the surface are normal. Shake, let sit for one minute, shake again. During long sessions or in hot weather, adding electrolytes has more impact on performance than increasing the dose of amino acids. On rest days, if your meals cover your protein needs, save the budget for creatine, which must be taken daily to be effective.

Are BCAAs dangerous?

The question deserves a precise answer rather than an automatic denial. At usual doses, in a healthy adult, BCAAs are amino acids you already consume every day in meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products: a container does not introduce anything foreign to your diet, simply the same thing in a free and concentrated form. Reported side effects are primarily digestive — bloating, intestinal discomfort — and mainly occur with high doses taken all at once on an empty stomach.

The real reservations are elsewhere:

  • Maple syrup urine disease (leucinosis), a rare metabolic disease, is an absolute contraindication: these patients cannot metabolize branched-chain amino acids.
  • Kidney or liver failure: any amino acid supplementation must be validated by the patient's doctor.
  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding, adolescents: ANSES recommends caution with supplements for athletes in these populations, due to insufficient data.
  • Ongoing treatment: consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

The most concrete risk remains common: replacing a real protein intake with partial amino acids, and ending up with a less complete diet than before. A supplement does not make up for an insufficient meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are BCAAs?

Three essential branched-chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. "Essential" means the body cannot produce them and they must come from food; "branched" refers to their chemical structure, which allows them to be metabolized directly in the muscle rather than in the liver. They are sold as flavored powder or capsules, with a stated ratio such as 2:1:1. Their limitation is structural: three out of the nine essential amino acids, enough to send the building signal, but not enough to provide the building blocks.

What is the role of BCAAs?

Each of the three has a distinct function. Leucine is the trigger: it activates the mTOR pathway, which initiates muscle protein synthesis. Isoleucine is mainly involved in glucose uptake into the cell. Valine primarily serves as an energy substrate. Their common characteristic is that they are metabolized directly in the muscle and not in the liver, which explains the attention they receive in sports nutrition. But a signal is not a building block: without the other six essential amino acids, protein cannot be assembled.

Are BCAAs dangerous?

No, at usual doses and in healthy adults: they are amino acids present daily in meat, eggs, fish, and dairy products, simply isolated and concentrated. Reported effects are digestive and benign, especially with a large dose swallowed all at once on an empty stomach. Real contraindications are medical: maple syrup urine disease, kidney or liver failure, pregnancy, breastfeeding, ongoing treatment. The real everyday risk is elsewhere: believing that a container of partial amino acids replaces a complete protein intake.

Do BCAAs make you gain weight?

No. A dose of 5 to 10 g provides approximately 20 to 40 kcal, the equivalent of half an apple: this is negligible in a day. They also do not cause weight loss. If your weight increases during a course, the cause is to be found in the overall caloric balance, not in the container. Not to be confused with creatine, which causes intramuscular water retention visible on the scale in the first few weeks.

When to take BCAAs?

The timing matters less than the total daily protein intake, and this should be said above all else. That being said, the most consistent use is during the workout: 5 to 10 g diluted in 500 to 750 ml of water, sipped throughout the training session, which has the advantage of encouraging more drinking. Since free amino acids are absorbed in 15 to 30 minutes, there is no justification for taking them an hour in advance. On rest days, if your meals cover your needs, they have no particular role.

When to take BCAAs for endurance?

For long efforts, the benefit of BCAAs is secondary compared to two other priorities: carbohydrates and electrolytes. A runner or cyclist who goes beyond two hours mainly loses water, sodium, and glycogen. If you still want to add amino acids to your water bottle, 5 g is sufficient, and a complete EAA formula will be more relevant than BCAAs alone.

What is an amino acid?

It is the basic unit of proteins: a small molecule that links with others to form the long chains from which muscles, enzymes, antibodies, or certain hormones are made. Twenty amino acids make up human proteins. Eleven are called non-essential, meaning the body can synthesize them; the other nine — leucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine — are essential and must be supplied by the diet. Digesting a protein means precisely breaking it down into amino acids before rebuilding it differently.

EAA or BCAA, which to choose?

EAAs in almost all cases. They contain all nine essential amino acids, including BCAAs, whereas BCAAs only provide three: the synthesis signal is sent in both cases, but only EAAs provide the raw material. The difference becomes clear when dietary intake is low — training on an empty stomach, significant caloric deficit, reduced appetite. BCAAs retain two practical advantages: a more palatable taste and a generally lower price per container. If your diet is already complete, these two criteria may be enough to make the decision.

Which BCAA to choose?

Look at three lines, in this order. First, the grams of leucine per dose: this is the amino acid that triggers the signal, and the useful range is between 2.5 and 5 g per serving. Then the ratio, knowing that 2:1:1 replicates the proportion found in muscle protein and no solid data places an 8:1:1 above it at equal total quantity. Finally, the origin: fermented BCAAs of plant origin are suitable for everyone. Beware of containers that announce a total weight without detailing the distribution.

Are there natural BCAAs?

Today, almost all commercial BCAAs come from the fermentation of plant sugars by bacteria, a process that has replaced the extraction from animal materials long used. The mention "natural" therefore does not distinguish much between two containers. The true natural source remains food: whey contains about a quarter of its protein in the form of BCAAs, and eggs, meat, fish, and legumes provide them every day. A container simply isolates and concentrates what the diet already provides.

Which foods are rich in amino acids?

Animal sources provide all nine essential amino acids in good proportions: eggs, meats, fish, dairy products, including whey from milk. On the plant side, soy, peas, and quinoa are complete; legumes tend to lack methionine and cereals tend to lack lysine, hence the benefit of combining them throughout the day. The Ciqual database provides the composition of food item by food item. If your diet is exclusively plant-based, our plant proteins generally combine several sources for this reason.

Do BCAAs build muscle?

Not on their own. They trigger the protein synthesis signal, but do not provide the six other essential amino acids needed to build a complete protein. It is the total daily protein intake that does the work; BCAAs contribute only marginally.

Which BCAAs do we offer?

Our selection favors formulas whose labels clearly state the ratio and grammages: the 8.1.1 BCAA from IO Genix for those who are aware of this ratio, the vegan fermented BCAAs from Sinob, the hydration formula from Rule One that combines amino acids and minerals, and the All Day You May from 5% Nutrition, which is more complete than its name suggests.

If you prefer a complete formula, our EAA section is our largest collection of amino acids. And if you are mainly looking for a pleasant drink during exercise, check out clear whey, which is lighter than a classic shake.

Need advice at a store near Montpellier?

Our store in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, allows you to compare two labels side-by-side and calculate the actual leucine provided per dose. This thirty-second calculation often changes the purchasing decision. We also ship everywhere in France and Europe.

Sources: ANSES for French recommendations on dietary supplements for athletes, Ciqual for the amino acid composition of foods, EFSA for European scientific opinions.

To go further: are BCAAs dangerous.

Sources

À intégrer dans une alimentation variée et équilibrée et un mode de vie sain.

Questions fréquentes — BCAA

BCAA, c'est quoi ?

Trois acides aminés essentiels à chaîne ramifiée : la leucine, l'isoleucine et la valine. « Essentiel » signifie que l'organisme ne sait pas les fabriquer et qu'ils doivent venir de l'alimentation ; « ramifié » renvoie à leur structure chimique, qui leur permet d'être métabolisés directement dans le muscle plutôt que dans le foie. Ils se vendent en poudre aromatisée ou en gélules, avec un ratio affiché du type 2:1:1. Ce sont les trois acides aminés qui portent le signal de synthèse ; les EAA complètent la série des neuf.

Quel est le rôle des BCAA ?

Chacun des trois a une fonction distincte. La leucine est le déclencheur : elle active la voie mTOR, qui met en marche la synthèse des protéines musculaires. L'isoleucine intervient surtout sur l'entrée du glucose dans la cellule. La valine sert principalement de substrat énergétique. Leur particularité commune est d'être métabolisés directement dans le muscle et non dans le foie, ce qui explique l'attention qu'on leur porte en nutrition sportive.

Est-ce que les BCAA sont dangereux ?

Non, aux doses usuelles et chez un adulte en bonne santé : ce sont des acides aminés présents chaque jour dans la viande, les œufs, le poisson et les produits laitiers, simplement isolés et concentrés. Les effets rapportés sont digestifs et bénins, surtout sur une forte dose avalée d'un coup à jeun. Les contre-indications réelles sont médicales : leucinose, insuffisance rénale ou hépatique, grossesse, allaitement, traitement en cours.

Est-ce que les BCAA font grossir ?

Non. Une dose de 5 à 10 g apporte environ 20 à 40 kcal, l'équivalent d'une demi-pomme : c'est négligeable dans une journée. Si votre poids augmente pendant une cure, la cause est à chercher dans le bilan calorique global. À ne pas confondre avec la créatine, qui elle provoque une rétention d'eau intramusculaire visible sur la balance les premières semaines.

Quand prendre les BCAA ?

Le moment compte moins que le total protéique de la journée. Cela posé, l'usage le plus cohérent est pendant la séance : 5 à 10 g dilués dans 500 à 750 ml d'eau, sirotés sur la durée de l'entraînement, ce qui a l'avantage de faire boire davantage. Les acides aminés libres étant absorbés en 15 à 30 minutes, inutile de les prendre une heure à l'avance.

Quand prendre des BCAA en endurance ?

Sur les efforts longs, les deux priorités sont les glucides et les électrolytes : un coureur ou un cycliste qui dépasse deux heures perd surtout de l'eau, du sodium et du glycogène. Pour ajouter des acides aminés au bidon, 5 g suffisent, et une formule complète en EAA couvre l'ensemble des neuf.

Qu'est-ce qu'un acide aminé ?

C'est l'unité de base des protéines : une petite molécule qui s'enchaîne à d'autres pour former les longues chaînes dont sont faits les muscles, les enzymes, les anticorps ou certaines hormones. Vingt acides aminés composent les protéines humaines. Onze sont dits non essentiels, l'organisme sachant les synthétiser ; les neuf autres — leucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine, méthionine, thréonine, phénylalanine, tryptophane, histidine — sont essentiels et doivent être apportés par l'alimentation. Digérer une protéine, c'est précisément la découper en acides aminés avant de la reconstruire autrement.

EAA ou BCAA : comment choisir ?

Les EAA contiennent les neuf acides aminés essentiels, BCAA compris : c'est le choix de l'apport complet, et il prend tout son sens quand l'apport alimentaire est bas — entraînement à jeun, déficit calorique marqué, appétit réduit. Le BCAA, lui, est la boisson d'entraînement la plus simple et la plus agréable à boire, et c'est le bon choix quand l'alimentation couvre déjà les protéines de la journée.

Quel BCAA choisir ?

Regardez trois lignes, dans cet ordre. D'abord les grammes de leucine par dose : c'est l'acide aminé qui déclenche le signal, et la fourchette utile se situe entre 2,5 et 5 g par prise. Ensuite le ratio, le 2:1:1 reproduisant la proportion présente dans la protéine musculaire, les ratios plus élevés concentrant la leucine. Enfin l'origine : les BCAA fermentés d'origine végétale conviennent à tout le monde. Un pot qui détaille la répartition par dose est toujours le plus simple à comparer.

Existe-t-il des BCAA naturels ?

Les BCAA du commerce proviennent aujourd'hui presque tous de la fermentation de sucres végétaux par des bactéries, procédé qui a remplacé l'extraction à partir de matières animales longtemps utilisée — c'est ce qui rend la plupart des références actuelles compatibles avec une alimentation végétale. Côté assiette, la whey contient environ un quart de sa protéine sous forme de BCAA, et les œufs, la viande, le poisson et les légumineuses en apportent tous les jours.

Quels aliments sont riches en acides aminés ?

Les sources animales apportent les neuf essentiels dans de bonnes proportions : œufs, viandes, poissons, produits laitiers, dont la whey issue du petit-lait. Côté végétal, le soja, le pois et le quinoa sont complets ; les légumineuses manquent plutôt de méthionine et les céréales plutôt de lysine, d'où l'intérêt de les associer sur la journée. La base Ciqual donne la composition aliment par aliment. Si votre alimentation est exclusivement végétale, nos protéines végétales combinent généralement plusieurs sources pour cette raison.

Comment les BCAA se situent-ils dans une prise de masse ?

Ils déclenchent le signal de synthèse protéique et accompagnent la séance ; c'est l'apport protéique total de la journée qui fournit la matière première. Les deux vont ensemble : nos protéines pour le total, les BCAA pour la boisson d'entraînement.